Saint Mary's College - Brother Mel Andersonhttps://www.stmarys-ca.edu/tags/brother-mel-anderson
en80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 2000-2008https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-2000-2008
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p><span id="styles-49-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/h.jpg?itok=zZ7FI1_c" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<p>2001 - men's basketball coach Randy Bennett.</p>
<h4>2000</h4>
<p>The dedication was held for the new science building, now called Brother Alfred Brousseau Hall after the mathematician who founded the Fibonacci Association and was an authority on California wildflowers. Women’s basketball captured its third WCC title and defeated Texas in the NCCA Tournament’s first round.</p>
<h4>2001</h4>
<p>Randy Bennett was hired as men’s basketball coach. Women’s basketball played in the postseason WNIT for the second time, marking its fourth straight postseason appearance.</p>
<h4>2002</h4>
<p>Brother Jerome West ’40, a longtime economics professor and an RD in More and Guerrieri halls in the 1970s through ’90s, died. He led the first capital campaign (see 1986) and was an avid sports fan who helped secure funds for building McKeon Pavilion.</p>
<h4>2003</h4>
<p>The College’s bylaws were changed to allow the election of a non-Christian Brother to the presidency if no qualified Brother existed or stepped forward.</p>
<h4>2004</h4>
<p>For the third time in the school’s history, football was dropped as an intercollegiate sport.</p>
<h4>2005</h4>
<p>Brother Ronald Gallagher was inaugurated as president after being named to the position in 2004. Men’s basketball competed in the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<h4>2006</h4>
<p>Mark Orr became the youngest Division I athletic director in the country, replacing former AD Carl Clapp. In January, 25 students and two professors traveled to New Orleans during Jan Term to do Hurricane Katrina relief work; dozens more followed in subsequent years.</p>
<h4>2007</h4>
<p>Randy Bennett became men’s basketball’s winningest coach with an 89–65 win over East Tennessee State at the Rainbow Classic.</p>
<h4>2008</h4>
<p>Men’s basketball celebrated its 100th year and honored Tom Meschery ’61 as best all-time player. The Gaels, ranked in the Top 25 for most of the season, received a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Filippi Academic Hall, home of the Kalmanovitz School of Education, opened.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7315 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1990-1999https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1990-1999
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p><span id="styles-7-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/g.jpg?itok=IMMFC8x-" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<p>1998 - Science professor Judd Case.</p>
<h4>1990</h4>
<p>A major convocation on liberal arts was convened featuring Eva T.H. Brann, dean of instruction at St. John’s College, Annapolis, whose address, “Take No Thought for the Morrow,” created an academic stir. Women’s basketball posted a 21–7 overall record and won its second consecutive WCC title.</p>
<h4>1991</h4>
<p>College had difficulties with Moraga officials in gaining approval for two new residence halls, with some council members suggesting “user fees” should be charged to help pay for a recreation facility for Moraga. A compromise resulted in no user fees and a formalization of existing College policy that its facilities be available to Moragans.</p>
<h4>1992</h4>
<p>The first Professor of the Year event was held, honoring Professor Marguerite (Candy) Boyd from the School of Education.</p>
<h4>1993</h4>
<p>Brother Mel received the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty award.</p>
<h4>1993</h4>
<p>SMC moved all sports to NCAA Division I level; football became a Division I-AA sport for the first time since being dropped.</p>
<h4>1994</h4>
<p>It was a big award year for Brother Mel, who was selected as Moraga Citizen of the Year and received the papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal.</p>
<h4>1995</h4>
<p>The work of the New Century Committee led to a new College mission statement from Brother Mel which affirmed the Catholic, Lasallian and liberal arts traditions on campus and called them “dynamic forces capable of ensuring a promising future.”</p>
<h4>1995</h4>
<p>The MFA in Creative Writing program was founded.</p>
<h4>1996</h4>
<p>Mary Garaventa Hall, the first new academic facility in 20 years, was completed.</p>
<h4>1997</h4>
<p>Brother Mel retired from the SMC presidency after 28 years in the position. He also received the National Lasallian Educator Award.</p>
<h4>1997</h4>
<p>In front of the Chapel, the Saint John Baptist de La Salle statue by Bruce Wolfe was dedicated.</p>
<h4>1998</h4>
<p>Science professor Judd Case was part of a team that discovered fossils of a duck-billed dinosaur on Vega Island off the Antarctic Peninsula. It was the first such find of the dinosaur outside the Americas, supporting the idea of a land bridge between South America and Antarctica.</p>
<h4>1999</h4>
<p>The “Spirit of Saint Mary’s” $150 million capital campaign was launched. A Mass of Celebration was held for the renovated Chapel. Women’s basketball advanced to its first NCAA Tournament. Women’s lacrosse was added as an NCAA Division I sport.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7314 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1980-1989https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1980-1989
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p><span id="styles-48-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/f.jpg?itok=Sx4p3Jb2" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<p>1988 - Brother Ronald Gallagher.</p>
<h4>1980</h4>
<p>Bill Oates led the men’s basketball team to an 11–5 WCAC record and second conference regular-season title.</p>
<h4>1981</h4>
<p>The Committee for Lectures, Art and Music (CLAM) was revived, offering high-quality entertainment to the campus community and the public. Intercollegiate Nursing Program was established in partnership with Samuel Merritt College.</p>
<h4>1982</h4>
<p>Women’s soccer began at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level with Randy Farris as head coach.</p>
<h4>1983</h4>
<p>The Faculty Assembly approved changes to the core curriculum that added requirements for four courses: two from mathematics and physical and life sciences, and two from courses in the literary, historical or philosophical disciplines. Brother Albert “The Prince” Rahill and longtime rugby coach Patrick Vincent died.</p>
<h4>1984</h4>
<p>Women’s soccer won the NAIA National Championship. <br /> English professor Robert Hass ’63, who would go on to be poet laureate of the U.S. and a Pulitzer Prize winner for his poetry, receives a McArthur Fellowship, otherwise known as a “genius grant.”</p>
<h4>1985</h4>
<p>Women’s volleyball won the NAIA National Championship.</p>
<h4>1986</h4>
<p>A capital campaign goal of $32.1 million was set after two years of planning. By the end of the fourth year of fundraising, the goal had been exceeded by $2 million; by end of 1991 the campaign ended having reached the $51.2 million mark.</p>
<h4>1987</h4>
<p>The East Bay Scholarship Fund financed the move to the Moraga campus of an 1,800-pound bell that had been at SMC’s original San Francisco location. It was formally presented and rung at Homecoming in October to the accompaniment of bagpipes. The bell, the only artifact except drawings that remains from the San Francisco days, now hangs in Korth Tower.</p>
<h4>1988</h4>
<p>Brother Ronald Gallagher, then an English professor and RD in Thille Hall, began a long tradition of leading Jan Term classes to Ireland.</p>
<h4>1988</h4>
<p>Brother Mel was inducted into the Contra Costa County Hall of Fame.</p>
<h4>1989</h4>
<p>The Soda Center was dedicated. The Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the Chapel, but the 1928 tabernacle survived. Women’s basketball won its first WCC regular-season title with a 12–2 record. The National Endowment for the Humanities praised the Saint Mary’s Great Books program.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7313 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1970-1979https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1970-1979
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<h4>1970</h4>
<p>Women were admitted for the first time to Saint Mary’s College. They were under the guidance of a new associate dean, Sister Therese Lackey. Brother Mel met his first protest over a basketball game against Brigham Young University, at a time when the Mormon Church denied African Americans the right to priesthood. Football competed at the Division III level. Doc McKillip was named first full-time athletic director.</p>
<h4>1971</h4>
<p>Eight women were the first females to graduate from the College. Glenna Jo Burns, who entered as a senior, was the first to receive her diploma, of course from Brother Mel.</p>
<h4>1972</h4>
<p>The College suffered a high rate of attrition after protests on campus by minority students on a variety of issues, including the non-renewal of the contract of popular dean Odell Johnson, were reported in the media.</p>
<h4>1973</h4>
<p>New Associate Dean Tom Brown developed the High Potential Program for minority applicants with potential for collegiate success but socio-economic disadvantages.</p>
<h4>1974</h4>
<p>Moraga citizens voted to incorporate as a town; the celebration was held in Dryden Hall. The first women to complete all four academic years at the College graduated.</p>
<h4>1975</h4>
<p>The Executive MBA Program began at SMC, along with the School of Extended Education. Women’s sports also had their inaugural year, with crew and tennis.</p>
<h4>1976</h4>
<p>Brother Mel hosted a dinner for biology faculty following the dedication of Sichel Hall to thank faculty for their efforts to plan the building.</p>
<h4>1977</h4>
<p>The Hearst Art Gallery, the only accredited art museum in Contra Costa County, was dedicated.</p>
<h4>1978</h4>
<p>McKeon Pavilion and the Brother U. Albert Rahill Athletic Center were dedicated. On Jan. 21, SMC lost the first game in the pavilion to Stanford by a score of 62–61. Rahill is pictured above.</p>
<h4>1979</h4>
<p>Brother Carl Lyons began chairing the music program, combining it with the dance and theater programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7312 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1960-1969https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1960-1969
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p><span id="styles-47-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/e.jpg?itok=eS2k2NgY" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<p>1970 - Women are admitted to Saint Mary's.</p>
<h4>1960</h4>
<p>The rugby team steadily improved, ending with a 7–5 record, as it became “a sport of high interest,” according to the yearbook.</p>
<h4>1961</h4>
<p>Justin Hall was opened, dedicated to Brother Justin McMahon, first provincial-vicar of the San Francisco District-Province (1868).</p>
<h4>1962</h4>
<p>Another move for Brother Mel, who was assigned as principal of the boys’ division at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.</p>
<h4>1962</h4>
<p>SMC President Brother Albert Plotz was killed with Brother F. Cornelius and Brother V. Julius in a car wreck in the Sierra Nevada. An all-male chorus was formed, directed by Monroe Kanouse and eventually recording an album of selected works. Basketball coach James Weaver resigned after seven seasons with a 110–67 record.</p>
<h4>1963</h4>
<p>In the College’s centennial, the Saint Mary’s Associates developed a Great Teachers Fund to enhance academic quality by recruiting and retaining quality professors. Dennis Day, longtime Irish tenor for the Jack Benny Show, was honored at the first fundraising dinner (followed by other celebrities including Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Durante and Danny Thomas).</p>
<h4>1964</h4>
<p>Brother Mel named director and principal at Saint Mary’s College High and administrator of the residence grammar school, both in Peralta Park in Berkeley.</p>
<h4>1965</h4>
<p>Crew began under the voluntary leadership of Ed Lickiss, coach of the Lake Merritt Rowing Club.</p>
<h4>1966</h4>
<p>Construction got under way for a new library and dorms, part of the “Century II” program. “Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz was the commencement speaker.</p>
<h4>1967</h4>
<p>Football returned as a club sport after a 16-year layoff. Spontaneous newspaper The Student was slipped under residence doors to inspire excitement over issues including the Vietnam War, the draft and other movements. New student organization SPAN (Students for Progressive Action Now) was formed to push proposed changes on curriculum, co-education and other issues.</p>
<h4>1968</h4>
<p>Brother Mel invited to serve on the Board of Trustees at Saint Mary’s College. SMC letters cemented on hillside. St. Albert Hall library dedicated.</p>
<h4>1968</h4>
<p>School of Education was established.</p>
<h4>1969</h4>
<p>Brother Bertram, then provincial, persuaded Brother Mel to become the 23rd president of Saint Mary’s College, beginning a nearly three-decade era that brought vast changes to the school.</p>
<h4>1969</h4>
<p>January Term was established to allow students to explore studies outside their major and around the world. Brother Kyran killed in car crash.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7311 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1950-1959https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1950-1959
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p><span id="styles-46-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/d.jpg?itok=ZLGXisSx" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<div class="image-with-caption-align-left" style="width: 340px;">
<p><em>1951 - Brother Mel at the Junior Novitiate at Mont La Salle.</em></p>
</div>
<h4>1950</h4>
<p>Football was dropped for the second time after the season’s conclusion.</p>
<h4>1951</h4>
<p>Brother Mel graduated as a philosophy major and was assigned to teach woodworking at the Junior Novitiate at Mont La Salle.</p>
<h4>1952</h4>
<p>Brother Mel struck out for San Francisco, where he taught math and English at Sacred Heart High School.</p>
<h4>1953</h4>
<p>For the fifth consecutive semester, The Collegian was named All-American by the Associated College Press. The Korean War draft reduced the student body by half, leaving only 400 students enrolled.</p>
<h4>1954</h4>
<p>Brother Kyran Aviani, a noted artist, began teaching at SMC. An annual award is now given in his name to a graduating art major with an outstanding academic record.</p>
<h4>1955</h4>
<p>SMC became a charter member of the West Coast Athletic Conference.</p>
<h4>1956</h4>
<p>The Integral Program was established. Rugby returned to campus for the first time since 1914, when the Gaels switched to American football. In July, Brother S. Albert became the 21st president of SMC.</p>
<h4>1956</h4>
<p>Brother Mel became the founding vice principal at La Salle High School in Pasadena.</p>
<h4>1957</h4>
<p>The first full-scale bonfire rally in eight years was held, initiating a series of flaming rallies and the most successful basketball season in 10 years. On March 1, the remaining freight service on the Sacramento Northern Railway from Oakland to Lafayette ceased; the tracks were removed and the old roadbed from SMC through Lafayette was later converted to the popular Lafayette-Moraga trail.</p>
<h4>1958</h4>
<p>Graduate summer programs in philosophy and theology were created. Philosophy was discontinued in 1962; theology in 1987. The Regents inaugurated the Executive Symposium, an overnight seminar to bring Bay Area executives to campus to discuss business topics. It remained an annual event until 1995.</p>
<h4>1959</h4>
<p>Led by head basketball coach James Weaver and players Tom Meschery, LaRoy Doss and Joe Barry, the Gaels advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, losing to powerhouse Cal. SMC undertook a 10-year, $2 million expansion plan for the campus. KHSM was broadcast on a new 1,000-watt transmitter, reaching more of the surrounding community with programs in French and German and Brother Carl Lyons’ commentaries on Bach and Vivaldi.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7309 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1940-1949https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1940-1949
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/c.jpg?itok=vxHVhD_S" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<p><em>1942 - Navy Pre-flight School.</em></p>
<h4>1940</h4>
<p>The first Catholic intercollegiate formal dance in the <br /> area was held at the “swanky” San Francisco Country Club; a then all-time high of 14 dances was held during the school year.</p>
<h4>1941</h4>
<p>The Great Books program, referred to as World Classics and Seminar Studies, was established at SMC under James Hagerty. <br /> Passenger service to SMC on the Sacramento Northern line ended.</p>
<h4>1942</h4>
<p>The graduating class was thinned by the draft and America’s entry into World War II post-Pearl Harbor. Jim Phelan was hired as head football coach after his predecessor Norman “Red” Strader left for the Navy to fight in the war. The Navy Pre-flight School opened on campus to train pilots for the war.</p>
<h4>1943</h4>
<p>At age 14, Harold left Claremont Junior High School and enrolled at Saint Mary’s High School in Berkeley. He participated in war bond rallies and collected scrap metal for the war effort.</p>
<h4>1944</h4>
<p>Former College President Brother Albert returned to SMC after two years at Manhattan College in New York. The popular Brother was dean of resident students.</p>
<h4>1945</h4>
<p>Gaels football received a bid to the Sugar Bowl (losing to Oklahoma A&amp;M on Jan. 1, 1946); sophomore Herman Wedemeyer is named All-American and “the country’s leading sports celebrity.”</p>
<h4>1945</h4>
<p>In August, as the atomic bombs were <br /> falling on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Harold entered the Junior Novitiate at Mont La Salle in Napa.</p>
<h4>1946</h4>
<p>The Drama Society sparked a theatrical revival on campus, led by dynamo director Yale Mayer, who produced two plays in the first year.</p>
<h4>1947</h4>
<p>After graduating from Mont La Salle, Harold was robed as a Christian Brother and took the name Brother Timothy Mel, honoring his Irish mother by taking the name of Saint Patrick’s nephew, Saint Mel.</p>
<h4>1947</h4>
<p>The Gaels lost to Georgia Tech 41–19 in the Oil Bowl.</p>
<h4>1948</h4>
<p>Brother Mel took first vows and entered the Scholasticate (the Christian Brothers’ house of studies) at Saint Mary’s College.</p>
<h4>1948</h4>
<p>Bob Hope’s radio show was broadcast from Madigan Gym.</p>
<h4>1949</h4>
<p>The College community was saddened by the death of chaplain and professor emeritus the Rev. Jean Marie Ribeyron. In October, the Bells of Saint Mary’s, a 25-note set of bells, were dedicated. The hours have since been tolled with the Westminster Chimes.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7308 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1930-1939https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1930-1939
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="credits">By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<p class="credits"><span id="styles-2-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/b.jpg?itok=hnv-zD-E" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span></p>
<h4>1930</h4>
<p>The Collegian evolved from a fortnightly semi-literary page in 1928 to a six-page weekly with the aim of printing “all the happenings of interest to the College and interpretation of the most significant of these happenings.” The football team was received at the White House after defeating the Fordham Rams 20–12 in New York.</p>
<h4>1931</h4>
<p>A new activity fee of $1 was levied on all students (although not everyone paid). Enough was raised to buy a College banner to use at athletic contests, to send the yell leader to the UCLA game, to provide transportation expenses for varsity debaters and to present an award to the College band organizer.</p>
<h4>1932</h4>
<p>The executive council of the Associated Students of Saint <br /> Mary’s College selected a standard senior ring design, <br /> which each member of the senior class had to adhere to, and allowed a coach to increase from three to six the Block M athletics sweaters, a very popular act among students.</p>
<h4>1933</h4>
<p>The graduating class termed itself the “Depression Class,” since they had entered in fall 1929 and spent all four College years in the throes of economic instability. The class failed to stage the traditional informal dance and did not present a gift to the College.</p>
<h4>1934</h4>
<p>Brother Agnon, the legendary Saint Mary’s Phoenix baseball coach in the late 1800s and early 1900s, died. His highly regarded teams, which included Hall of Famer Harry Hooper ’07, led Baseball Magazine to write in 1916 of SMC that “Connie Mack has a standing offer for the star pitcher there each year, and every scout who goes to the Coast has a chat with Brother Agnon.”</p>
<h4>1935</h4>
<p>Brother U. Albert Rahill took over SMC presidency, becoming the youngest college president in the United States.</p>
<h4>1936</h4>
<p>Snow blanketed the campus. <em>The Moraga Quarterly</em>, the College’s literary magazine, completed its sixth year of publishing a variety of essays and scholarly presentations on issues ranging from religion, philosophy and history to science and math.</p>
<h4>1937</h4>
<p>The College band, in aluminum dough-boy hats, red coats and sweaters and blue pants, played Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C Minor” and other classical pieces to surprised football fans.</p>
<h4>1938</h4>
<p>SMC celebrated its Diamond Anniversary (75 years) and conducted an international peace convention attended by representatives from all Northern California colleges and universities.</p>
<h4>1939</h4>
<p>The Gaels defeated Texas Tech 20–13 in the Cotton Bowl, and Madigan left the College with a 117–45–12 overall record in 19 seasons.</p>
<h4>1939</h4>
<p>Inspired by marionette shows at the Treasure Island World’s Fair, young Harold began creating them himself with his older cousin, a commercial artist who painted faces on the characters. Other childhood hobbies included tap dancing as a member of an Oakland troupe that performed in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz and building a small stage in his home’s basement where he put on variety shows for neighbors.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7307 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Counting for Brother Mel and SMC: 1920-1929https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1920-1929
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="credits">By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<div class="image-with-caption-align-left" style="width: 340px;"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/a.jpg?itok=0dPSP7rz" alt="" width="340" height="200" /></span>
<p>1928 - Dedication Day, August 5.</p>
</div>
<h4>1928</h4>
<p>Harold Fabian (who later took the name Brother Timothy Mel) Anderson was born on Sept. 28 to Edwin Albert Anderson (Swede) and Lillian Frances (Redmond) Anderson (Irish) at Merritt Hospital in Oakland. He had an older brother, Edwin Joseph.</p>
<h4>1928</h4>
<p>Saint Mary’s College opened the doors at its new campus in Moraga. Dedication Day on Aug. 5 featured S.F. Archbishop Edward J. Hanna, who said, “This is a temple to wisdom, erected by God, the seat of all wisdom, and it stands for all that is best in this land we love.”</p>
<h4>1929</h4>
<p>Gaels football under celebrated coach Ed “Slip” Madigan went 8–0–1 in an amazing season in which only one opponent — Oregon — scored even one touchdown. The team held the nation’s greatest defensive record (scoring 168 to their opponents 6) and were Pacific Coast Champions.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7306 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu80 Years and Countinghttps://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By Erin Hallissy and Rich Davi</p>
<div class="image-with-caption-align-left"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img class="media-image" id="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/brother_mel_first_grade_0.jpg?itok=hPZUQbGS" alt="" width="340" height="196" /></span>
<p>Brother Mel Anderson with his first grade class at St. Augustine's in Oakland.</p>
</div>
<p>Saint Mary’s Moraga campus and Brother Mel made their debut in 1928. We look back at some noteworthy events in the eight decades of their lives.</p>
<ul><li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1920-1929">1920-1929</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1930-1939">1930-1939</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1940-1949">1940-1949</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1950-1959">1950-1959</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1960-1969">1960-1969</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1970-1979">1970-1979</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1980-1989">1980-1989</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-1990-1999">1990-1999</a></h3>
</li>
<li>
<h3><a href="http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/80-years-and-counting-for-brother-mel-and-smc-2000-2008">2000-2008</a></h3>
</li>
</ul></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fall-2008" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fall 2008</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/feature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Feature</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brother-mel-anderson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Brother Mel Anderson</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-og-group-ref field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-magazine">Saint Mary&#039;s Magazine</a></div></div></div>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000Chloe Doan7265 at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu